Narrative Theory

There are three main narrative theories.

The first main theory is by Vladimir Propp, he's idea was that a Narrative is not really important in a film because he believes characters  are more important. He identified a theory about characters and actions as narrative functions. Characters, according to Propp, have a narrative function; they provide a structure for the text.

The common characters that Propps describes are;

• Hero
• Villain
• Donor
• Dispatcher
• False Hero
• Helper
• Princess
• Father

The second narrative theory is Todorovs theory which is that he thinks its not all about characters but about Narrative, equilibrium and disequilibrium. He believed stories began with an equilibrium or status quo where any potential opposing forces are in balance. Todorov suggested that conventional narratives are structured in five stages.

The third narrative is Aristotle's theory he's theory contradicted all the others he thought that  its not about characters, not about narrative (beginning, middle, end) but about the themes of the film. Examples of these themes are; Antagonist / Protagonist and dramatic question.

Our thriller film will follow the narrative theory of Todorov because we think that its not all about characters but about narrative, equilibrium and disequilibrium. We do not think our thriller should be based heavily on one thing and that it should be spread out evenly. Our opening scene is a sleepover with 4 friends that decide to do an Ouija board however, things start to go wrong for them when they do it, the lights start flickering on and off, the t.v. turns off, sounds are being made and worst of all a ghost comes out the ouiji board. Things then take a turn for the worse the ghost then ties the girls up to each other and goes to kill them.